GEF/LDCF.SCCF.14/06

May 23, 2013

LDCF/SCCF Council Meeting

June 20, 2013

Washington D.C.

Agenda Item 7

OPERATIONALIZING SUPPORT TO THE PREPARATION OF THE

NATIONAL ADAPTATION PLAN PROCESS IN RESPONSE TO GUIDANCE

FROM THE UNFCCC COP

ii

Recommended Council Decision

The LDCF/SCCF Council, having reviewed document GEF/LDCF.SCCF.14/06,

Operationalizing Support to the Preparation of the National Adaptation Plan Process in

Response to Guidance from the UNFCCC COP, endorsed this document as an operational basis

for supporting the national adaptation plan process in eligible developing countries.

iii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This document responds to the request made by the LDCF/SCCF Council, at its 13th

meeting on

November 15, 2012, that “the GEF Secretariat prepare a paper for the next Council meeting on

how the GEF will operationalize support to enable activities for the preparation of the national

adaptation plan [NAP] process” (Joint Summary of the Chairs).1

This paper introduces the GEF’s approach to operationalizing support towards the preparation of

the NAP process, in accordance with guidance provided by the Conference of the Parties (COP)

to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), at its eighteenth

session. This document defines the objectives, principles, scope and modalities for GEF support,

through the LDCF and the SCCF, for the preparation of the NAP process in eligible developing

countries.

1http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/documents/Joint%20Summary%20of%20the%20Chairs%20with%

20Annexes%20-%20Nov%2015.pdf

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1

Response to Guidance from the UNFCCC COP on National Adaptation Plans ..................... 2

Objectives of the NAP process ................................................................................................... 2

Guiding principles ....................................................................................................................... 3

Scope of LDCF/SCCF support towards the NAP process .......................................................... 5

Financing and modalities ............................................................................................................ 7

List of Annexes

Annex I: Guidance adopted by the COP ............................................................................. 10

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INTRODUCTION

1. At its sixteenth session, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations

Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) decided to establish a process to enable

least developed countries (LDCs) to formulate and implement national adaptation plans (NAP)

as a means of identifying and addressing medium- and long-term adaptation needs, and of

developing and implementing strategies and programs to address those needs. This process

would build on their experience in preparing and implementing national adaptation programmes

of action (NAPA). Other developing countries were also invited to employ the modalities

formulated to support NAPs. (decision 1/CP.16, paragraphs 15-162)

2. At its eighteenth session, the COP requested the GEF, as an operating entity of the

financial mechanism of the Convention, “to provide funding from the Least Developed Countries

Fund [LDCF] to meet the agreed full cost, as appropriate, of activities to enable the preparation

of the national adaptation plan process” and “through the [SCCF], to consider how to enable

activities for the preparation of the national adaptation plan process for interested developing

country Parties that are not [LDCs]” (decision 12/CP.18, paragraphs 1 and 43; see Annex I).

3. The LDCF/SCCF Council, at its 13th meeting on November 15, 2012, in response to the

Council information document, GEF/LDCF.SCCF.13/Inf.07/Rev.024 Support for National

Adaptation Plans, requested that “the GEF Secretariat prepare a paper for the next Council

meeting on how the GEF will operationalize support to enable activities for the preparation of

the [NAP] process” (Joint Summary of the Chairs).5.

4. At the LDCF/SCCF Council’s request, this document introduces the GEF’s approach to

operationalizing support towards the preparation of the NAP process in response to guidance

provided by the COP. This document defines the objectives, principles, scope and modalities for

GEF support, through the LDCF and the SCCF, for the preparation of the NAP process in

eligible developing countries. The document draws on the information document, Support for

National Adaptation Plans, and is consistent with and complementary to the updated operational

guidelines for the LDCF and the SCCF presented in November 2012 (GEF/LDCF.SCCF.13/046;

GEF/LDCF.SCCF.13/057).

2 http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2010/cop16/eng/07a01.pdf#page=2

3 http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2012/cop18/eng/08a02.pdf#page=3

4http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/documents/Support%20for%20National%20Adaptation%20Plans%

20Nov%2012th_0.pdf 5http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/documents/Joint%20Summary%20of%20the%20Chairs%20with%

20Annexes%20-%20Nov%2015.pdf 6http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/documents/Updated%20Operational%20Guidelines%20LDCF%20

Oct.16.pdf 7http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/documents/Updated%20Operational%20Guidelines%20SCCF%20

Oct%2016.pdf

2

RESPONSE TO GUIDANCE FROM THE UNFCCC COP ON NATIONAL ADAPTATION PLANS

5. This document responds to the guidance adopted by the UNFCCC COP on NAPs,

providing a basis for the GEF, through the LDCF and the SCCF, to operationalize support for the

preparation of the NAP process in eligible developing countries. Recognizing that developing

countries find themselves in very different stages of identifying and addressing their medium-

and long-term adaptation needs, this document proposes a flexible approach, tailored to their

diverse needs and circumstances. In particular, while the NAP process may entail the

development of a plan or plans, any support provided by the GEF, through the LDCF and the

SCCF, for the NAP process would differ from past LDCF financing towards the preparation of

NAPAs both in its objectives and its scope.

6. In addition, this document proposes that any financing provided through the LDCF and

the SCCF in support of the NAP process be closely coordinated with and complementary to

other relevant initiatives, as well as to other sources of multi-lateral and bi-lateral support. This

includes, among others, support provided through the Kyoto Protocol Adaptation Fund, the Pilot

Program on Climate Resilience, the Africa Adaptation Programme, and the Green Climate Fund.

In particular, the GEF will seek to maximize potential synergies and complementarities between

the NAP process and other past, present and future LDCF and SCCF investments.

7. This document applies to financing provided from the LDCF and the SCCF in support of

the NAP process, as defined in guidance provided by the UNFCCC COP in decisions 1/CP.16,

5/CP.17 and 12/CP.18. The provisions that follow apply to both the LDCF and the SCCF. In

exceptional cases, the document makes the necessary distinctions where differences between the

two funds so require (see in particular paragraphs 21–29).

8. Consistent with guidance provided by COP 18 (decision 12/CP.18, paragraph 1), the

GEF, through the LDCF, may finance “activities to enable the preparation of the [NAP] process

as described in the elements contained in paragraphs 2–6 of the initial guidelines for the

formulation of national adaptation plans in the annex to decision 5/CP.17”, in LDC Parties to the

UNFCCC. In contrast with projects and programs carried out in support of NAPA

implementation, NAPA completion is not a precondition for accessing LDCF financing towards

the NAP process.

9. The COP also requested the GEF, through the SCCF, to “consider how to enable

activities for the preparation of the [NAP] process for interested developing country Parties that

are not [LDCs]” (decision 12/CP.18, paragraph 1).

Objectives of the NAP process

10. COP 17 defined the objectives of the NAP process as follows:

“(a) to reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, by building adaptive

capacity and resilience; [and]

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(b) to facilitate the integration of climate change adaptation, in a coherent manner,

into relevant new and existing policies, programmes and activities, in particular development

planning processes and strategies, within all relevant sectors and at different levels, as

appropriate” (decision 5/CP.17, paragraph 18).

11. These objectives are entirely consistent with the current goal and objectives of the LDCF

and the SCCF.9

Guiding principles

12. In accordance with the guiding principles defined in decision 5/CP.17 and reiterated in

decision 12/CP.18, the GEF, through the LDCF and the SCCF, may provide financing in support

of a NAP process that identifies and addresses medium- and long-term adaptation needs,

recognizing that climate change adaptation is effective only if it addresses both actual and

expected changes in climate stimuli and their effects, and if adaptation measures are sustained

over time. In addition, in line with decision 5/CP.17, the NAP process should be:

(i) Consistent with the Convention and responsive to COP guidance;

(ii) Country-driven and country-owned: consistent with nationally identified priorities,

including those reflected in relevant national documents, plans and strategies; and endorsed by

national focal points;

(iii) Coordinated, coherent and complementary: particularly with respect to other

relevant initiatives planned or underway in-country, as well as other sources of multilateral and

bilateral support;

(iv) Integrated into relevant new and existing development planning processes, policies,

strategies and frameworks;

(v) Continuous: uninterrupted in time and in the sequence of activities it encompasses,

rather than a step-by-step process;

(vi) Progressive: with each element and activity contributing towards the achievement of

the objectives of the NAP process;

(vii) Iterative: incorporating results, assessments, evaluations and associated lessons

from the implementation of adaptation measures; as well as innovations and emerging

knowledge to continuously inform and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the NAP

process;

8 http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2011/cop17/eng/09a01.pdf#page=80

9 The goal of the GEF Adaptation Program under the LDCF and the SCCF is to support developing countries to

become climate resilient by integrating adaptation measures in development policies, plans, programs, projects and

actions. Three objectives support this goal: (i) to reduce vulnerability to the adverse impacts of climate change,

including variability, at local, national, regional and global level; (ii) to increase adaptive capacity to respond to the

impacts of climate change, including variability, at local, national, regional and global level; and (iii) to promote the

transfer and adoption of adaptation technology.

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(viii) Gender-sensitive: recognizing the different vulnerabilities and adaptation needs

among women and men, the NAP process should incorporate gender-sensitive assessments of

impacts, vulnerabilities and appropriate adaptation measures, allow the participation of both

women and men, and adopt gender-sensitive approaches to monitoring and evaluation10

;

(ix) Participatory and inclusive: ensuring public involvement, including for civil

society and indigenous peoples, through participatory approaches to design, implementation, as

well as monitoring and evaluation11

;

(x) Transparent: ensuring continuous access to information in accordance with GEF

policy and procedures; and

(xi) Guided by the best available science and, as appropriate, traditional and

indigenous knowledge.

13. These guiding principles do not override, but rather complement the existing eligibility

criteria and quality standards for accessing resources under the LDCF and the SCCF.

14. In addition, the Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) has developed technical

guidelines that provide further resources and tools for countries to engage in comprehensive,

medium- and long-term adaptation planning at the national level in line with the above principles

(see Box 1).

Box 1: Technical Guidelines by the Least Developed Countries Expert Group

The LEG has been requested by the COP to provide technical guidance and support to the NAP process,

as appropriate. The COP requested the LEG, in carrying out its mandate to support the identification and

implementation of medium- and long-term adaptation in LDCs, to prioritize support for the formulation

and implementation of NAPs. The COP further requested the LEG to prepare technical guidelines for the

NAP process, based on the initial guidelines included in the annex to decision 5/CP.17.

The LEG discussed how the NAP process in LDCs can be supported at its twenty-second meeting, in

September 2012. It compiled priority areas for supporting LDCs in undertaking the NAP process, as

contained in document FCCC/SBI/2012/27.

As laid out in the initial guidelines that were adopted at COP 17, the guidelines are framed around the

four elements of the NAP process: laying the groundwork and addressing gaps; preparatory elements;

implementation strategies; and reporting, monitoring and review.

The technical guidelines provide Parties, as well as organizations assisting Parties with adaptation, with

10

The GEF Policy on Gender Mainstreaming (GEF/PL/SD/02) applies to any projects, programs or activities

financed through the LDCF or the SCCF in support of the NAP process.

(http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/documents/document/GEF_PL_SD_02_Policy%20on%20Gender%

20Mainstreaming.%20May%201%202012.pdf) 11

The Policy on Public Involvement in GEF Projects (GEF/PL/SD/01) applies to any projects, programs or

activities financed through the LDCF or the SCCF in support of the NAP process.

(http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/documents/document/Public_Involvement_Policy.Dec_1_2011_rev

_PB.pdf)

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technical guidance on the development of NAPs. They elaborate on the initial guidelines and offer a range

of options for dealing with each element of the NAP process, drawing on best available knowledge. A list

of indicative activities is given for each step of the technical guidelines. The guidelines are not

prescriptive, and countries would go through the list of steps and indicative activities to identify what

activities are needed, based on the extent to which adaptation activities have already been undertaken, to

define a road map for the national process.

Activities and steps would be clustered into workstreams, to be carried out or overseen by specific

stakeholders at the national level, such as policy-makers or technical committees of officers. They are

developed in a way that seeks to enhance the coherence of adaptation and development planning within

countries, rather than duplicating efforts undertaken or underway. They are intended to facilitate country-

owned, country-driven action, that seeks to harness and build upon national-level capacity, with support

from various partners, as appropriate. They are designed in a way that allows countries to monitor and

review the NAP process on a regular basis, and update their NAPs in an iterative manner.

Source: Least Developed Countries Expert Group. 2012. National Adaptation Plans. Technical guidelines

for the national adaptation process. Bonn: UNFCCC secretariat. Bonn, Germany. December 2012.

Available at: <http://unfccc.int/NAP/naptechguidelines_eng.pdf>.

Scope of LDCF/SCCF support towards the NAP process

15. As per decision 12/CP.18, the scope of LDCF support towards the NAP process is

defined by the initial guidelines for the formulation of NAPs annexed to decision 5/CP.17 (see

Box 2). In the absence of further guidance pertaining to the scope of support to be provided

through the SCCF, and recalling the invitation by the COP to non-LDC developing country

Parties to employ the modalities elaborated in decision 5/CP.17, this document defines the scope

of SCCF support consistently with the initial guidelines. Accordingly, the GEF, through the

LDCF and the SCCF, may support the following elements of the NAP process in eligible

developing countries:

(i) laying the groundwork and addressing gaps;

(ii) preparatory elements;

(iii) implementation strategies; and

(iv) monitoring, reporting and review.

Box 2: Initial guidelines for the formulation of national adaptation plans by least developed country

Parties (decision 5/CP.17)

I. Introduction

1. The elements described in paragraphs 2–6 below are indicative of the activities that can be undertaken in the development of national adaptation plans (NAPs). The planning of such activities will depend on national circumstances and should be determined by least developed country Parties. II. Elements of national adaptation plans

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A. Laying the groundwork and addressing gaps 2. Activities undertaken under this element would be planned with a view to identifying weaknesses and gaps in enabling environments, and addressing them as necessary, to support the formulation of comprehensive adaptation plans, programs and policies, through, inter alia: (a) Identification and assessment of institutional arrangements, programmes, policies and capacities for overall coordination and leadership on adaptation; (b) Assessment of available information on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation, measures taken to address climate change, and gaps and needs, at the national and regional levels; (c) Comprehensive, iterative assessments of development needs and climate vulnerabilities. B. Preparatory elements 3. In developing NAPs, consideration would be given to identifying specific needs, options and priorities on a country-driven basis, utilizing the services of national and, where appropriate, regional institutions, and to the effective and continued promotion of participatory and gender-sensitive approaches coordinated with sustainable development objectives, policies, plans and programmes. Activities may include the following: (a) Design and development of plans, policies and programmes by considering decision 1/CP.16, paragraph 14(a), to address the gaps and needs referred to in paragraph 2 above; (b) Assessments of medium- and long-term adaptation needs, and, as appropriate, development needs and climate vulnerabilities; (c) Activities aimed at integrating climate change adaptation into national and subnational development and sectoral planning; (d) Participatory stakeholder consultations; (e) Communication, awareness-raising and education. C. Implementation strategies 4. Activities carried out as part of the implementation strategies would take into consideration the following: (a) Prioritizing work according to development needs and climate change vulnerability and risk; (b) Strengthening institutional and regulatory frameworks to support adaptation; (c) Training and coordination at the sectoral and subnational levels; (d) Public dissemination of information on the national adaptation plan process, to be made available to the public and to the UNFCCC secretariat; (e) Considering other relevant multilateral frameworks and international programmes and initiatives, with a view to building on and complementing existing adaptation planning. D. Reporting, monitoring and review 5. These activities, including national adaptation plan documents, could be included in national strategies and plans, as appropriate. 6. Under this element, Parties should undertake a regular review, at intervals that they determine: (a) To address inefficiencies, incorporating the results of new assessments and emerging science

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and reflect lessons learned from adaptation efforts; (b) To monitor and review the efforts undertaken, and provide information in their national communications on the progress made and the effectiveness of the national adaptation plan process.

16. Consistent with the guiding principles defined above, the GEF will seek to complement

and build on existing processes, and address relevant gaps and needs in a country-driven and

country-owned manner. In particular, the GEF recognizes that developing countries are

benefiting from other sources of multilateral and bilateral support towards the NAP process, and

efforts will be made to avoid duplication, to ensure coordination and coherence, and to maximize

potential synergies (see also paragraph 12 [iii] above). Accordingly, the elements and activities

identified in the initial guidelines do not, as such, intend to define the appropriate scope of GEF

support to any particular country. Instead, any support provided through the LDCF or the SCCF

will be tailored to country-specific needs, circumstances and capabilities. Assessments of

existing support, ongoing processes and initiatives, information and capacities, as well as

relevant gaps and needs, as per paragraph 2 of the initial guidelines, will be instrumental in

defining the full scope of support provided through the LDCF or the SCCF.

17. The initial guidelines identify potential activities associated with each of the above

elements. These activities and measures should be understood as illustrative, rather than

prescriptive. Any request for financial support from the LDCF or the SCCF for such activities

will be reviewed against the degree to which these contribute towards the objectives of the NAP

process, given country-specific needs and circumstances. On the other hand, the GEF, through

the LDCF and the SCCF, may support activities and measures beyond those listed in the initial

guidelines, should these be consistent with the objectives and principles of the NAP process and

fall within the scope defined by the four elements above.

18. Notwithstanding the continuous, medium and long-term nature of the NAP process, the

scope of GEF support should be determined on a case-by-case basis; with specific, measurable

and time-bound results. The GEF, through the LDCF and the SCCF, may provide support for

projects, programs and activities that fall within the scope defined in the present document, and

that contribute towards the objectives of the NAP process, based on a logically sound sequence

of inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and objectives. National executing agencies and their

implementing partners will be accountable for the timely achievement of expected results, and

for reporting on progress in accordance with GEF policy and procedures for results-based

management. To bridge the gap between time-bound support and the objectives and nature of the

NAP process, any GEF support will have to be associated with appropriate sustainability

strategies.

Financing and modalities

19. The GEF may support the NAP process in accordance with the present document, with

the financial resources available in the LDCF and the SCCF Adaptation Program (SCCF-A).

20. The GEF’s ability to support the NAP process through the LDCF and the SCCF will

remain contingent on the availability of resources. In decision 12/CP.18, the COP invited

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“developed country Parties to further contribute to the [LDCF] and the [SCCF] to support the

activities for the preparation of the [NAP] process” (paragraph 5). In accordance with the

updated operational guidelines for the funds, Parties included in Annex II, as well as other

Parties included in Annex I and any non-Annex I Parties that are in a position to do so, may

contribute to the LDCF and the SCCF.

21. To manage the demand for resources for the NAP process, as well as other projects and

programs supported in line with the mandates of each Fund, the GEF will continue to apply the

policies presented in the updated operational guidelines for the LDCF and the SCCF:

GEF/LDCF.SCCF.13/04; GEF/LDCF.SCCF.13/05.

22. Under the LDCF, any request for support for the NAP process will be considered subject

to the availability of resources in accordance with the principle of equitable access. Accordingly,

recipient countries may determine how they wish to pursue NAPA implementation alongside the

NAP process, given the maximum amount of resources available for each eligible country at a

given time (see also paragraph 27 below).

23. Under the SCCF, the GEF will consider requests for support for the NAP process in the

context of the constitution of work programs submitted for approval by the LDCF/SCCF

Council.

24. The GEF, through the LDCF and the SCCF, may provide financial support towards the

NAP process in eligible countries through medium-sized projects (MSP), full-sized projects

(FSP) and programmatic approaches (PA) in line with the objectives, principles and scope

presented in this document.

25. COP 18 requested the GEF, through the LDCF, to “provide support for the [NAP]

process, while maintaining support for the [LDC] work programme, including [NAPAs]”

(decision 12/CP.18 paragraph 1). GEF experience suggests that the implementation of tangible

adaptation measures in response to urgent needs -- on the one hand -- and efforts to integrate

adaptation into relevant new and existing policies, programmes and activities -- on the other

hand -- are often mutually supportive. Accordingly, the GEF, through the LDCF, may finance

projects and programs that combine technical assistance towards the NAP process, through

specific components, with tangible investments that address NAPA priorities. In a similar

manner, the GEF, through the SCCF, may support the NAP process in the context of investment

projects, in line with relevant national priorities and the mandate of the Fund.

26. It may not, however, always be practical to combine cross-sectoral activities carried out

in support of the NAP process with tangible, priority investments that tend to be sector specific.

Therefore the GEF, through the LDCF and the SCCF, may also finance targeted initiatives

dedicated to key elements of the NAP process, based on country demand and consistent with the

objectives, principles and scope defined in the present document.

27. Under the LDCF, recipient countries will ultimately determine how and to what extent

they wish to pursue their NAP processes vis-à-vis NAPA implementation. For example,

countries that have successfully mobilized resources from the LDCF and other sources, and that

9

have made considerable progress in implementing their NAPAs and accumulated relevant

lessons, a greater focus on establishing the institutional and policy environment for medium- and

long-term adaptation may be justified. In such countries, the NAP process also presents an

opportunity to review and refine national adaptation priorities, including those identified in

NAPAs (see Box 2, paragraph 4 [a]). Countries that have made less progress may wish to focus

on tangible adaptation measures in response to urgent and immediate needs, to learn by doing,

and to gradually develop their capacities to address medium- and long-term adaptation.

28. The COP requested the GEF, through the LDCF, to “meet the agreed full cost, as

appropriate, of activities to enable the preparation of the [NAP] process”. Consistent with the

updated operational guidelines for the LDCF and the SCCF, the GEF translates the full cost of

adaptation into the term additional cost. This concept has been used to explain how the costs of

adaptation are added to costs of Business-as-Usual (BAU) or baseline development. Given that

the NAP process seeks to integrate adaptation into development policy and planning, any request

for funding for MSPs, FSPs or PAs in support of such a process should follow the principle of

additional cost. The GEF notes, however, that certain activities that fall within the scope of the

NAP process, such as information and capacity needs assessments, may not have a direct link to

a BAU development investment or activity.

29. Under the SCCF, and especially given that non-LDC developing countries have not

accessed resources for the preparation of NAPAs, different levels of efforts and, accordingly,

support may be needed in order to take stock of existing support, ongoing processes and

initiatives, information and capacities; as well as relevant gaps and needs; as a basis for pursuing

the NAP process in an effective, efficient and coordinated manner. Moreover, decision 5/CP.9

provides that the SCCF “should serve as a catalyst to leverage additional resources from bilateral

and other multilateral sources” (paragraph 1). Accordingly, for any request for SCCF financing

towards the NAP process, efforts will be made to maximize co-financing from other sources.

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ANNEX I: GUIDANCE ADOPTED BY THE COP

At its seventeenth session, the COP provided the following guidance pertaining to the financial

arrangements for the formulation and implementation of NAPs (decision 5/CP.1712

):

21. Urges developed country Parties to mobilize financial support for the national

adaptation plan process for least developed country Parties through bilateral and

multilateral channels, including through the Least Developed Countries Fund, in

accordance with decision 1/CP.16;

22. Requests the Global Environment Facility, as an operating entity of the financial

mechanism, through the Least Developed Countries Fund, to consider how to enable

activities for the preparation of the national adaptation plan process for the least

developed countries Parties, while maintaining progress for the least developed countries

work programme, which includes the national adaptation programmes of action;

23. Also invites United Nations organizations, specialized agencies and other relevant

organizations, as well as bilateral and multilateral agencies, to support the national

adaptation plan process in the least developed countries and, where possible, to consider

establishing support programmes for the national adaptation plan process within their

mandates, as appropriate, which could facilitate financial and technical support to least

developed countries […]; […]

25. Also invites the Global Environment Facility, as an operating entity of the financial

mechanism for the operation of the Least Developed Countries Fund, to submit

information to the Subsidiary Body for Implementation, through the secretariat, by 13

February 2012, on how they could enable activities undertaken as part of the national

adaptation plan process in the least developed countries, […] for consideration by the

Subsidiary Body for Implementation at its thirty-sixth session; […]

31. Invites the operating entities of the financial mechanism of the Convention, bilateral

and multilateral organizations and other institutions as appropriate, to provide financial

and technical support to developing country Parties [that are not least developed

countries] to plan, prioritize and implement their national adaptation planning measures,

consistent with decision 1/CP.16 and relevant provisions of the Convention;

At its eighteenth session; following information submitted to the Subsidiary Body for

Implementation (SBI) by Parties, the GEF, as well as multi-lateral organizations; the COP

adopted the following guidance (decision 12/CP.1813

):

“1. Decides to provide the following guidance to the Global Environment Facility, as the

operating entity of the financial mechanism of the Convention for the operation of the

Least Developed Countries Fund, to enable activities for the preparation of the national

adaptation plan process by the least developed country Parties. The operating entity is

requested:

12

http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2011/cop17/eng/09a01.pdf#page=80 13

http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2012/cop18/eng/08a02.pdf#page=3

11

(a) As a first step under the national adaptation plan process, to provide funding from the

Least Developed Countries Fund, to meet the agreed full cost, as appropriate, of activities

to enable the preparation of the national adaptation plan process as described in the

elements contained in paragraphs 2–6 of the initial guidelines for the formulation of

national adaptation plans in the annex to decision 5/CP.17;

(b) To provide support for the national adaptation plan process, while maintaining

support for the least developed countries work programme, including national adaptation

programmes of action;

(c) To encourage a flexible approach that enables the least developed country Parties to

access funding for components of the national adaptation plan process as identified by the

least developed country Parties in response to national needs and circumstances;

2. Requests the operating entity referred to in paragraph 1 above to include in its report to

the Conference of the Parties information on the steps it has undertaken to implement the

provisions of this decision;

3. Urges developed country Parties to mobilize financial support for the national

adaptation plan process for interested developing country Parties that are not least

developed country Parties through bilateral and multilateral channels, including through

the Special Climate Change Fund, in accordance with decision 1/CP.16, as it urged

developed country Parties to mobilize financial support for the national adaptation plan

process for least developed country Parties in decision 5/CP.17, paragraph 21;

4. Requests the Global Environment Facility, as an operating entity of the financial

mechanism of the Convention, through the Special Climate Change Fund, to consider

how to enable activities for the preparation of the national adaptation plan process for

interested developing country Parties that are not least developed country Parties, as it

requested the Global Environment Facility, through the Least Developed Countries Fund,

to consider how to enable activities for the preparation of the national adaptation plan

process for the least developed country Parties in decision 5/CP.17, paragraph 22;

5. Invites developed country Parties to further contribute to the Least Developed

Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund to support the activities for the

preparation of the national adaptation plan process in accordance with decision 1/CP.16,

including paragraph 18, and other relevant decisions of the Conference of the Parties;